Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 10:58 pm Post subject: The islands ARE an area of difficulty.....

There is little difference trying to get something done on most of the caribbean islands now than there was in 1680. Although the vernacular has changed and the political format is presumably more representational any initiative without substantial local sponsorship is dead before it arrives. simple projects which Enable local institutions to do more than they ordinarily could, or supplement their programs by matchmaking with concerned Donors seems to me the most promising at first.

Keeping it simple. Always pick one project we can do without any direct endorsement from the islands in question. Work on the more involved things by information gathering, listening, and donor matchmaking. After finding a reasonable mission statement, begin a web-site to draw attention to the issues which concern us and those we have been speaking to. Promote the site as a forum for those involved in historical work in the islands to see and explain topics of concern. Link the effort to an"Endangered" and "Concerned" list which highlights conditions, endangered sites, projects we'd like to promote etc.
The main problem will always be politics and money.
ColJohn